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Saw a 1920s sideboard in a St. Louis antique mall that made me miss old-school shellac
It was in a booth on the second floor, just glowing under the lights. The finish was all hand-rubbed shellac, not a single brush mark. You could see the grain move under the surface, like it was alive. Made me think about how many guys just grab a spray can now. Anyone still use the old French polish method on big pieces?
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the_jana1mo ago
Yeah, it's a lost art for sure. That kind of finish takes a crazy amount of skill and time. I love that glowing look you can only get from shellac, it's got so much warmth. Most people just want it done fast now, so they use poly or lacquer. Seeing a real French polish on a big piece is special, like finding a ghost.
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anthonymurray1mo ago
My buddy Greg restored a 1920s Philco radio cabinet last year. He spent three months on the French polish, just rubbing in shellac with a linen pad. The final coat was so thin you could feel the wood grain, but it had this crazy depth. He said his arm was sore for a week, but the shine was worth it. I don't know many with that kind of patience for a big piece anymore.
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That finish is something else. I used a similar method on an old writing desk, just kept building it up with a pad. The warmth you get from shellac really can't be matched by modern stuff.
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